Video: Why motorists need to move over for cops

Dash cam video shows how often motorists do not move over for police in pursuit

By PoliceOne Staff

Oregon police released a video that shows many motorists fail to move over for police in an emergency and that the problem is growing.

Oregon law requires drivers to immediately pull as far as possible to the right and stop when they see an emergency vehicle approaching with its lights flashing and sirens blaring. The fine for not yielding properly is $260.

Dash cam videos from real emergency situations show one vehicle after the next taking too long to move over for police cruisers, despite sirens and emergency lights, according to the Oregonian.

Dash cam from August 2013 shows trooper Gavin McIlvenna driving down I-84 after he was shot at during a traffic stop. Following the suspect, John V. Allen, McIlvenna becomes frustrated with the motorists on the road who make the pursuit nearly impossible.

According to the report, during a recent five-hour traffic mission on Portland area highways, officers from several local agencies handed out 104 citations of $260 for “failing to maintain a safe distance from emergency vehicles."